Thursday, July 25, 2013

Lankan Muslims And Their Image Problem

By Raashid Riza -July 25, 2013

Raashid Riza

This article was first published in the print version of the Ceylon today on 24 July 2013 and is in response to an interview of Dr.Ameer Ali published on the Ceylon Today on 19 July 2013 titled ‘Muslims are self-alienating’.

The state of Muslims in Sri Lanka has been closely observed over the last few years. Indeed the plight of Sri Lankan Muslims has become somewhat dire; new radical Sinhalese groups like the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and theSinhala Ravaya (SR) have hijacked Buddhism and are both committing and advocating crimes against the Muslim community. It is in such a context, that Dr. Ameer Ali’s interview was published a few days ago.

When asked if he concurs with the widely asserted notion that a peaceful Muslim minority are under threat by elements representing a hegemonic Buddhist nationalism, Dr Ali opines that after more than a hundred years of ‘rationalism’, religion is once again in the ascendency. As such, Buddhism in Sri Lanka is seeing a revival.

There are multiple loopholes in this argument and if anything it is rather febrile in the face of the main structural issues at hand. While a global revival of religion has been noted, it is important to highlight that this has manifested in an increasing of religiosity amongst people who already profess a faith rather than a marked resurgence in the numerical ratio of people claiming to subscribe to a religion. Secularism too is on the rise, with atheism becoming more numerically prominent. Therefore, what is seen is not the reversal of a status quo where the numbers of atheists is diminishing to make way for the religious; rather it is the concentration of the strengths of already set religious and or other value systems. Read More

No change in Centre's stand on Sri Lanka Tamil's issue: PM tells Jayalalithaa

13th Amendment is part of the Indo-Lanka accord of 1987 which seeks to give more powers to the provinces.

By PTI | 25 Jul, 2013,

CHENNAI: Holding that there was no change in India's stand on the issue of reconciliation and devolution of political powers to ethnicTamils in Sri Lanka, Prime MinisterManmohan Singh has informed Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that New Delhi will work towards ensuring that Tamils are "masters of their own destiny within framework of a united Sri Lanka."

"There is absolutely no change in Government of India's stand on the question of reconciliation and devolution of political powers in Sri Lanka.

"We have long advocated the creation of an environment in Sri Lanka in which all communities, particularly the Sri Lankan Tamils, are masters of their own destiny within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. We will continue to work towards this end", Singh told Jayalalitha in response to her letter dated July 14.

The text of Singh's letter was released by the state government today.

Jayalalitha had written to the Prime Minister strongly urging New Delhi to take pressure the Sri Lankan Government not to take any steps to repeal or dilute the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution in any manner.

13th Amendment is part of the Indo-Lanka accord of 1987 which seeks to give more powers to the provinces. There are reports that the Lankan government wants to repeal it despite India's concerns.

Jayalalithaa had called upon the Centre to take a decisive and bold stand in support of the Tamils, besides asking India to ensure that the process of democratic decentralization was in no way jeopardised.

USAID to Develop New Livelihood Program for Vulnerable Groups

July 24, 2013

In order to support further reconciliation of the Sri Lankan people, the U.S. Embassy, through its development office of USAID, is designing a new livelihoods project that aims to increase household incomes in the dairy, poultry and horticulture sectors. This initiative seeks to reach women-headed households, those relocated due to the conflict, and other vulnerable groups.

The goal is to link household production with existing private sector producers and processors to further economic development. Potential activities include improving household income by increasing the production of fresh milk and dairy products, improving cattle genetics through artificial insemination, facilitating egg and broiler production and diversifying horticulture cultivation.

USAID estimates that up to 5,000 households may benefit under this initiative. Program funding amounts are still being assessed and this program is expected to be on-line before the end of 2013. USAID already supports livelihood programs through its economic growth office and has provided approximately $40,000,000 over the last five years to help re-integrate families in the former conflict zones.

British Tamils Commemorate 30th Anniversary of Black July Anti-Tamil Pogrom

Details: Created On Thursday, 25 July 2013 07:05; Category: General

British Tamils gathered at a rally opposite Downing Street in London on Tuesday 23 July to remember the thirtieth anniversary of the Black July anti-Tamil pogrom, in which 3,000 Tamils were killed.

Although not the first pogrom to be unleashed against the Tamils, Black July was a watershed moment in Tamil history. As Tamils across the island were forced to realise that they would never be safe within a Sinhala-dominated state, hundreds of thousands fled the island to find safety on foreign shores. As the dust settled, the history of the Tamil people had begun a new chapter – one of unprecedented suffering and destruction which continues to this day.

British Tamils gathered opposite Downing Street to commemorate the innocent civilians who were killed in 1983, as well as the hundreds of thousands of Tamils who have died since at the hands of the Sinhalese state and mobs. Placards and slogans decried the absence of justice for all these victims of Sri Lanka's genocide of the Tamils. Banners at the rally also highlighted other tactics that continue to be employed by the Sri Lankan state to gradually destroy the Tamil nation: including the militarisation of the north and east of the island; illegal state grabs of Tamil land; and sexual violence against Tamil men and women. The rally attracted positive attention from passers-by; many had been unaware of the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka and gave words of encouragement to the crowd.

The demonstrators sought to remind the UK government that life for Tamils on the island has become substantially worse, not better, since the sorrowful events of July 1983 and that thirty years of soft “engagement” with the Sri Lankan state has achieved very little.

In this context, the demonstrators expressed their bitter disappointment – felt widely among the British Tamil community – that the UK government has decided to participate in the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo in November 2013 under the pretext of “engagement”. The chief outcome of this meeting is likely to be a propaganda coup for the Sri Lankan state – a state that is desperately trying to avoid an independent, international inquiry into the crimes committed during the Mullivaikkal Massacre of 2009, in which nearly 147,000 still remain unaccounted for. The demonstrators lent their voices to the growing clamour for the UK to boycott this meeting – a campaign that is wholeheartedly supported by the British Tamils Forum.

British Tamils Forum also announced at the rally a new campaign – “Stop Uprooting Tamils from their Land” – targeting the escalating issue of land grabs in Tamil areas by the Sri Lankan State.

The rally ended with a candle-lit minute of silence to remember all those Tamils who have been killed by the Sri Lankan state. As the crowd dispersed peacefully and headed home, those who had attended could be overheard sharing their personal recollections of the horrors of July 1983.

Kudu Duminda's recovery spells danger to narcotics officers -Ajith murder is testimony

(Lanka-e-News

-23.July.2013,10.30PM) Following the recovery of Kudu Duminda , the drug menace had once again raised its monstrous head , and the officers of the anti narcotics Bureau are in grave fear as their lives are under threat, according to reports reaching Lanka e news inside information division.

Appuwahandi Ajith Sampath who died at Mt.Lavinia recently when Narcotics Bureau shot him is one against whom Wele Sudha a powerful bigwig of the drug underworld ring of Sri Lanka (SL) has given a contract to kill . Well placed inside sources of the narcotics Bureau stated .

Kudu Duminda's Recovery Spells Danger to Narcotics Officers -Ajith Murder is Testimony by nelvely

THE CHOGM ‘HORSE’

THURSDAY, 25 JULY 2013

Sri Lanka is a Country where everybody (with hardly any exception) loves a Tamasha. This is particularly so among politicians who not only gain from them but are also avid supporters of Tamashas provided they are paid for by somebody else - preferably from the public purse.

One attempt at such a Tamasha made at a colossal expense to the Country was made when the Government sought to have at a sports meet staged in Sri Lanka. A team of ‘hurrah-boys’ and/or favourites of the Government headed by `no less’ a person than Nivard Cabraal, the political appointee who functions as the ‘Governor of the Central Bank’ went to Australia, in pursuance of that endeavour and, from all reports had a ball of a time. There was an aircraft of the National Carrier idling on the tarmac for several days (with the crew idling) to bring them back to Sri Lanka. The newspapers featured a photograph showing a party thrown by our delegation at which this political appointee was depicted playing the children’s game of ‘trains’ with the son of the President, Namal Rajapaksa, MP both of whom had inane smiles pasted on their faces. The People of this Country regardless of political affiliation, race, ethnicity, caste or religion rejoiced about the failure of our Country to secure even at such colossal expense as the People were compelled to bear, the right to stage that sports meet in Sri Lanka. Indeed I was unable to find a single person who grieved about that `failure’.

"It must be remembered Sri Lnaka is a poor Country. However, we seem to be willing to spend millions upon millions in constructing accommodation for foreigners of the Commonwealth who will be attending this meeting and arranging for their means of transport."

Such rejoicing arose primarily for the reason that the People realized that the colossal sums spent on seeking unsuccessfully to get the sports meet (known as the Commonwealth Games) staged in Colombo would be as nothing compared to the amounts that would necessarily have to be spent on staging it. Of course there is one other factor. That, no doubt, the People took into consideration namely, that almost wherever a project involving the large scale expenditure of public funds is implemented, somebody close to the Government makes a `packet’ on it. Speculation was then rife as to who would have gained at the expense of the People if that sports meet was held in Sri Lanka.

Midweek Politics: Dayasiri’s Defection Drama,The Ranil Factor And The Crucial North

By Dharisha Bastians -July 25, 2013

Dharisha Bastians

“Harima dukayi (very sad)” muttered a senior Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) legislator, almost to himself inside an elevator at the Parliamentary complex two days ago.

The implication could not be clearer.

After months of speculation and back and forth, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had finally clinched the deal by afternoon on Tuesday (23) to ensure the defection of UNP Kurunegala District MP and popular politicianDayasiri Jayasekara to the ruling coalition. It is the worst kept secret in Parliament and political circles that SLFP stalwarts are disgusted by the move.

With Government ranks filled to the brim, SLFP bigwigs are fast losing relevance, with former UNP strongmen stealing their thunder within the administration and in electoral contests. The task of placating the ruling party seniors was assigned to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who held consultations with the group at the Parliamentary Complex, later that day.

Just 48 hours earlier, this particular outcome was looking very remote. Jayasekera was pledging he would remain with the UNP and the party’s leadership was convinced they had managed to retain the MP. But with customary aplomb, by afternoon on 23 July, the date Jayasekera was initially tipped to quit the UNP, President Rajapaksa made his move.

By wresting Dayasiri from the UNP’s fast dwindling ranks, the President has virtually decided a provincial electoral contest before it begins. In the North Western Province, the wildly popular Jayasekera was to be an integral cog in the UNP wheel. His defection will completely demoralise UNP activists and the party’s base days before campaigns kick off on a series of provincial polls.

Dashed hopes Read More

Gamini Senarath’s brother gets 29 acres from Maradana

Details: Created On Wednesday, 24 July 2013 16:49; Category: General

The Cabinet of ministers has approved the allocation of 29 acres of land in Colombo 10 belonging to the railway Department on a 99 year lease to the chief of staff of the President and People’s Bank Chairman, Gamini Senarath’s brother, Lolitha.

Lolitha is a permanent director at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka and he is in-charge of all Gamini Senarath’s investments. The Cabinet has been informed through the project report that the land would be used to set up a special business centre.
Lolitha’s Shelina NGB Lanka (Pvt) Limited is to commence the special project development and financial centre with assistance from Dubai’s national engineering bureau and China’s Syno Hydro Corporation Ltd.
The feasibility study has been carried out by Price Water House Coopers.
The project would see the construction of 490 service apartments, 350 high end hotel rooms and 400 standard hotel rooms. The Cabinet has also been informed that and office complex and a business centre would also be set up under the project. The project proposal notes that an investment of US$ 350 million would be made in the country within a two year period.
It is Lolitha and Deputy Chairman of the Port Development Authority, Sedhara, who handle Gamini Senarath’s investments.

Understanding the Sinhala Buddhist doctrine of ‘Holding On’

Sajeeva Samaranayake- 25 Jul, 2013

The following inverted pyramid showing the hierarchical power relations in Sinhala Buddhist society illustrates the strength of this top down cultural ideology – an ancient symbolism that continues to sway the masses in this land. It is a power that is overwhelming in terms of the strength of the ideas, concepts and myths which have been appropriated by those in power in Sinhala Buddhist society.

[Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe’s image is positioned close to the Buddha at the Dambulla Cave Temple. The message is crystal clear. The King as protector of the Sasana stands close to the Buddha within the spiritual hierarchy. Those who worship the Buddha do in fact worship the king by implication. This is secular colonization of the image of Buddha.]

“I do not say you can attain purity by views, traditions, morality or conventions, nor will you gain purity without these. But by using them for abandonment rather than as positions to hold on to, you will come to be at peace without the need to be anything.” – Buddha

A way of non – judging Continue reading »

Bribery, real estate and ‘cheap people’

July 25, 2013

“Honesty is a very expensive gift. Do not expect it from cheap people” – Warren Buffett.
The story doing the rounds in the Colombo circles about a large bribe solicited from a foreign real estate developer is a sobering reminder that

the “miraculous country,” the much-used unction for our self-image notwithstanding, those reputed evils of the third world, bureaucratic buffoonery and corruption are still very much part and parcel of our system. We may speed on Sri Lanka’s one and only (southern) highway in our European made Lamborghinis (with their V12 engines!) but that does not mean that everything else on the way is top of the pops.

Ironic circumstances
If the story is true, a high-up public servant has solicited a large bribe from the prospective developer as an inducement to fast-track the approval processes for the project. Large commercial/condominium developments require several standard approvals which most of us are familiar with now. And as we all know, the Government of Sri Lanka is eager to have such foreign investors in the country and is in fact offering several concessions to lure them. In the circumstances it is ironical that so-called servants of the Government are asking for bribes to expedite a process which in principle the Government is committed to expediting!
It is in the nature of such things in this country that the actual culpability of persons concerned and the amounts involved are hazy. Invariably the tale is spiced up or toned down according to the political sympathies or animosities of the teller. The amount currently being mentioned in this transaction is an astounding Rs. 400 million, a figure which perhaps suggests a much larger margin of profit than other similar projects. On the other hand the largeness of the bribe raises a suspicion of huge regulatory issues which otherwise would fail to win the approval of the regulators.
If we were to be guided by the folksy wisdom of Warren Buffett, in normal circumstances even a hundredth of this figure, i.e. Rs. 4 million, would have ensued results with a “cheap “person. The largeness of the bribe may, while creating a grandiose image of the scope of our economic activity, also be unintentionally honouring the bribe taker’s threshold level.
Many moons ago they used to say that a former Minister in charge of the Mahaweli Development project was among the three richest men in Asia! Of course, his exact rank and the facts and figures of his estate were sketchy, to say the least. Most times the unlucky victims of raids by the so called Bribery Department are guilty of seeking inducements in the range of Rs. 10,000-100,000!

Undesirable business culture
Be that as it may, for sake of argument let us assume that our bad boys are big players when it comes to bribery and that US$ 3 million is kind of standard today. The offer of the bribe apparently came from an Indian company. Although in this era of political correctness generalisations may be frowned upon, it is perhaps not too off the mark to say that the business culture in the sub-continent leaves much to be desired.
Maybe a culture inclined towards an obtuse bureaucracy invites corruption. So many hands reaching out for a small pie could create an attitude of wanting to win by fair means or foul. Whatever the cultural reason for the strong inclination towards unethical business practices, the fact is that not many eye brows will be raised in surprise on account of the ethnicity of the so called culprits in the present case.
On the other hand, if it is true that senior figures in the Sri Lankan administration are soliciting or accepting bribes and kickbacks it is a very serious matter. For decades we took pride in the ‘relative’ honesty, save for a few departments like the Customs and the Police, of our public sector. Even where the named departments are concerned, there were undoubtedly a large number of proud officers in these departments who worked in a spirit of service. But since of late it is evident that there is a massive deterioration in the level of integrity in almost all public institutions in this country.
Sometime back it was reported in a newspaper that a political appointee who was tasked with developing business contacts in a neighbouring country was praised by his boss for taking the initiative by way of gifting gold coins to his counterparts in that country. The assumption was that Indian bureaucrats would accept the gold coins and do the needful. We apparently had no ethical qualms about that approach. On the contrary the boss apparently was exultant about the “original approach” of his bribe giving underling.

Drifting towards a moral precipice
Increasingly, we are troubled by a gnawing sense that the country is slowly but surely drifting towards a moral precipice. A sure sign of the social decay is the manner in which we now trivialise evils like corruption, abuse of power, nepotism and deceit. These are no longer seen as threats to a civilised way of life but only provide a subject for inane jokes among the rich and powerful. The rot is not confined to the powers that be. Even the so-called Opposition is obviously bankrupt politically as well as morally.
A fundamental question that we face as a nation is whether the mere fact of election gives a blanket license to our politicians to do all that they presume to do. Obviously in any society for the idea of democracy to work meaningfully, a certain culture must prevail. In the absences of that culture the idea rings hollow and the machinery of democracy can easily become a mere tool in the hands of unscrupulous politicians.
A few politicians who get themselves elected to leadership positions can use a flawed democratic system to act with impunity and then easily cover their sins. Numbers do not always sanctify. A large crowd cannot simply veto the truth of a scientist for example. A mob cannot decide to hang a person likewise. There are ideas and principles which transcend political manipulations.
Recently there was a picture in a newspaper which is a fitting metaphor for what passes for politics in our country. The main character in the picture was the provincial politician who forced a female teacher to kneel before him as a punishment for daring to discipline the politician’s daughter. That incident is only a few weeks old now. In the newspaper picture the man is all but kneeling before his party’s nomination committee. He obviously wants re-nomination and has ambitions of continuing his political career. And the way to ensure re-nomination is by toadying. Unlike the unfortunate teacher, his obsequious conduct before that nomination committee was all voluntary.
What happens when the wielders of power are ‘cheap’ characters as defined by Warren Buffett? As we can see around us, many things can happen when power ends up in such hands. One thing for sure, we cannot expect honesty from cheap people!

Controversial ex-PC member re-remanded

THURSDAY, 25 JULY 2013

Former Provincial Councilor Ananda Sarath Kumara who is alleged to have made a teacher kneel before him, was re- remanded by the Puttalam Magistrate till August 8, for violating bail conditions.

He was ordered to be remanded by magistrate Ranga Dissanayake for violating article 14 (1) of the bail act. (Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayarathne and Jude Samantha )

BY PREMALAL WIJERATNA-2013-07-25

Carpenters who staged a protest in Moratuwa yesterday (24), attacked Postal Services Minister, Jeevan Kumaratunga, with empty water bottles, when he visited the area to speak with them.

Nearly 2,000 carpenters from Moratuwa and the Rawathawatta areas, who are reportedly feeling the impact of their trade being in the doldrums, due to furniture prices plummeting, marched to the town in protest, demanding the government to provide them some tangible relief to overcome their difficulties.

A senior police officer present at the scene confirmed that some protesters had thrown empty water bottles at the minister, adding he was not hurt in the incident. The police had thereafter escorted the minister to a nearby house, and had later escorted him from the area under police security.

Police said the carpenters who had started the protest march from the vicinity of a temple in Rawathawatta, had split up at the Moratuwa Divisional Secretariat after handing over a petition to the Divisional Secretary.

Meanwhile, according to police sources, Minister Kumaratunga had not given a statement to the police about the incident until yesterday afternoon.

That Man Ranil

By Rajitha Bandara Gunawardena -July 25, 2013 |

It is now the fashion and trend when one finishes cursing the Rajapaksas’ to turn on the leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe. He is useless they say, ineffectual, has overstayed his welcome, has doubtful sexual preferences, has no children, takes advice only from his friends, you name it Ranil is it.

Has anyone stopped to think of the alternative? Let’s assume the mantle was given to Karu Jayasuriya. He has gone over to the opposition held office as a minister proved more that ineffectual in the role and hasn’t had even the self-respect to go into oblivion when virtually chased out by the President. He has crawled back to his beginnings and resumed innocuous office as something or the other in the opposition. He was also taken back by this much maligned leader of the opposition.

So look closely at yourselves people of Sri Lanka. Blame yourselves just as much as you blame the leader of the opposition!

Sajith Premadasa has the following of the masses they say. He is relatively young and has his father’s charisma say others, with a faint air of desperation. The reality is that he has too many skeletons in his cupboard for his escapades in Yala during the regime of his father and his penchants for thuggery are still not forgotten by those who know.

Sajith Premadasa to gether with the Dayasiri Jayasekeras’ and all others of his ilk would have if given the mantle turned the UNP into a bunch of thugs. Trying to beat the masters of thuggery at their own game would have been just what the Rajapaksas’ wanted!

Don’t you critics’ understand? The single reason why the UNP hasn’t deteriorated further (I do admit to deterioration) and gone down to a level that would have been unrecognizable to those firmly committed to, it is Ranil Wickremesinghe.

All allegations of homosexuality and the daily insults heaped on him by the TV station run by the Maharaja organization have had no effect. The man doesn’t have to do this! He is wealthy in his own right and to insinuate that he is holding this post just to travel “first class around the world” is nothing but balderdash concocted by those who have desires and standards of this nature. Ranil Wickremesinghe has enough private wealth to travel many times around the world in style without having to undergo all these daily insults and allegations.

The Dayasiri Detonation

By Dayan Jayatilleka -July 25, 2013

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

While I wish that Dayasiri Jayasekara had broken away from the UNP to form a new party rather than join the government, he has, I must admit, made a smart move, as has his new leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. The smart move was not to cross the floor and accept a cabinet portfolio but to move out to the provincial level. If Dayasiri is half the success that Gamini Jayawickrema Perera was as Chief Minister of the North Western Province (‘Wayamba’), the sky is the limit as far national political possibilities go, because he is young enough to outlast the shelf life of the ruling elite.

It is also a cannily played hand on the part of President Rajapaksa, who is more than aware of twin dangers within his coalition—from those who resent the glass ceiling imposed by family rule and are speculating about a comeback by their deposed queen, and the racist hardliners who are dismayed by the entirely pragmatic Presidential decision to proceed with the Northern Provincial election. Mahinda Rajapaksa seems to be inducting and building up a core of SLFP ‘young Turks’, some of whom are ex-UNPers.

By sandwiching the Northern election between two others, and by making it an interesting race with Dayasiri’s induction, the President has just diverted attention from the Northern controversy and more crucially, given the provincial council system a renewed local legitimacy.

year, but this year casino - Karu

Details: Created On Wednesday, 24 July 2013 17:42; Category: General

'Last year we celebrated 2600 Sambuddha Jayanthi on a grand scale. This year we are taking steps to promote casinos on a grand scale. Although objections have been made against this social menace by the Mahanayakes, other religious dignatories and civic organizations, the government has turned a deaf ear and scorned the public my making several false explanations' said by by Hon. Karu Jayasuriya UNP M.P.Gampaha District On 24th July 2013 on the Media Conference

Sambuddha Jayanthi on a grand scale last by nelvely